Packing for air-lift pumps



Dec. 27, 1927.

G. M. WILLIAMSON PACKING FOR AIR LIFT PUMPS Filed A ril 12. 1927 INVENTOR George/11 ili'llzbma n ollol on. -ouaa a 0000 000...

0 a o o I a n 0 0 0 0 0 1 a a 0 o ATTORNEY -tion is susceptible of Patented Dee 27, 1927.

UNITED. STATES GEORGE M. WILLIAMSON, 0F SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA.

PACKING FOB AIR-LIFT PUMPS.

Application filed April '12, 1927. Serial No. 183,139.

This invention relates to apparatus for raising liquids by compressed air or gas an more particularly to the packing employed in connection with said apparatus for sealing off the space between the suction member of the foot piece and the Well casing.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an efficient sealing device or packing for completely scaling off the space between the suction member of the foot piece of an air lift pump and the well casing and which is so constfucted that it may be lowered loose into the well below the foot piece or air pump and afterward forced into airtight relation with the well casing and the section of the foot piece by the air admitted under high pressure to the space between the pump casing and the flow pipe and which adapts the sealer or packing for use in deep wells, as well as in others.

In carrying out these objects, the invena wide range of modification without departing from the s irit or sacrificing any of the advantages 0 the claimed invention; there being shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes a preferred and practical form, in which:

Figure 1 represents an air lift pump partly in side elevation and partly in section, and with parts broken out in which is embodied the sealer or packing constituting this invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the pump showing the packing in opposite position. I

In the embodiment illustrated a well casing 1 is shown which may extend to a. considerable depth and is provided at its upper end above the surface of the ground with a head 2 for supporting it on a curb not shown, and from which leads at one side thereof an air line 3 having a controlling valve 4.

Arranged within the well casing 1 and spaced therefrom is a delivery pipe or flow line 5 which extends up through the head 2 and is connected with a delivery line 5. Connected with the lower end of the flow line 5 is a foot piece or air pump 6 connected by a suitable coupling 7 with the line 5. This. footpiece 6 is equipped with a plurality of openings 8 through which air is designed to enter from the casing 1 and move upwardly through the flow line for a purpose presently to be described.

A suction member 9 has threaded engagement with the lower end of the foot piece 6 and is provided intermediate its end with an annular shoulder 9 which forms a seat for the packing ring or seal 10 which constitutes this invention.

This sealer or packing 10 is constructed of an annular metal plate 11 of a size to move freely within the well casing 1 without friction, and which is'designed to be arranged in said casing around the suction member 9 of the pump above the shoulder 9 thereof. Attached to the upper face of the member 11 is a gasket or packing element 12 here shown L-shaped m cross section, the upright flange of which is designed to be forced outwardly into binding engagement with the well casing when air under pressure is admitted to the chamber between the casing and the flow pi e through the air line 3. Secured to the lbwer face of the band 11 is an annular gasket 13 shown round in cross section and which rests on the shoulder 9 and when expanded fills the space between said shoulder and the well casing 1 so that a complete seal will be formed between the suction member 9 and said casing and thus prevent all possibility of the air passing below the foot member.

-The construction of the sealing member or packing 10 so that it will have a loose fit between the air pump and the well casing when being lowered into the well, provides for the use of this device in very deep wells since no friction is caused on the packing during its insertion such as would occur if ,the packing or sealer were made with a tight fit in the casing.

By forming the air space between 'thewell casing and the flow line, an efficient air lift be installed in a well of comparatively small diameter and it allows for the use of a flow line of a much greater capacity than would be possible to use if it were necessary to use an additional string of pipe for the introduction of air to the air lift or foot piece.

It will thus I be seen that this sealing device is lowered into the well below the foot piece or air pump loo'se'so that no friction or foot piece may is exertedthereby on the walls of the casing adapting the devlce especially for use in deep wells. When the sealer has been positioned as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing air under high pressure is forced down the well casing to the space between the inside of the casing and the flow pipe .and exerts a pres- I sure on the loose packing below the foot piece or air pump and exerts pressure on the top of this packing forcing it firmly down against the section of the foot piece and out 8 being here shown for this purpose. It will thus be seen that all air is prevented from g escaping into the well below the foot piece I making it necessary for the air to return through the air lift or foot piece attached to the submerged end of the flow line.

This packing is applicable to existing wells and does not require special well casing or special 'flow lines of any character, the only requirement necessary being the sealing of the space between thebottom-of the air lift or foot piece and the well casing, immediately below the foot piece and this constitutes the gist of applicants invention. l

Without further description it is thought that the-features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, promay be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as portion and minor details of construction claimed.

' packing to expand and bindingly engage the casing and the air lift and form an airtight seal between them.

against the walls' of the casing thereby com- P 1 tion of the foot piece or air passage and. the well casing forcing the air to return 2. The combination with a well casing havin a flow line therein provided with an air li t, said air lifthaving a suction member connected therewith; of a packing loose- 1y insertible in said casingbetween it and the air lift and the suction member and composed of a metal band of less diameter than the casin a flexible packing element carried by sai band and having a flange to engage the well casing and an e1ementcarried by said band for engaging the suction member of the air lift whereby when compressed air is admitted into the casing said packing will expand and enga e the cas' .ing and the air lift suction mem er to form an airtight .eal between them.

3. A packing for a well adapted to be arranged between the casing and the air lift thereof, said packing comprising an annular metal plate having a packing element secured to its upper face, said element being L-shaped in cross section and extending beyond the eriphery of the plate whereby it is adapted to engage the casing when expanded, and an annular compressible ackmg element carried by the lower face of said plate and adapted to engage a suction 'member of the air lift when applied.

4. The combination with a well casing havin a flow line therein provided with an air li t, of a packing loosely insertable in said casing between it and the air lift and composed of a band of less diameter than the casing, a flexible packing element carried by saidband and having a flange to engage the well casing and an element carried by said band for engaging the air lift whereby when compressed air is admitted into the casing said packing will expand and engage the casing and the air lift to form an airtight'seal between them.

GEORGE M. WILLIAMSON. 

